09-12-2004, 04:41 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-12-2004, 04:42 AM by Occhidiangela.)
Reply to Rhydd:
One of the ironic twists of the all volunteer force is that there has been a perception that the professional military has distanced itself from the population. I'd say it is the other way around, but that is consistent with the patterns of behaviour of America since about . . . 1775.
The myth of the Minuteman is all very well and good, but it is just that: a myth. The citizen soldier is a citizen who bears arms, and the best one is a professional. We don't do mercs. The closest we have to a militia is the National Guard, whose obligations to the State Governors make for some interesting budgetary decisions. The push in the past 13 years to stress professionalization of the reserves and the Guard, as well as to strengthen the bonds to Active Force units has resulted in a lot of Guard and Reserve personnel being called away to the current conflict.
The professionalizing of the American military and reduced reliance on conscription has its pros and cons. The biggest con is the shrinking of the demographic from whom to draw recruits, the biggest con is the ability to avoid "Johnson's 100,000."
If your concern is that America as a whole is losing its warrior spirit, you may be on to something.
Occhi
One of the ironic twists of the all volunteer force is that there has been a perception that the professional military has distanced itself from the population. I'd say it is the other way around, but that is consistent with the patterns of behaviour of America since about . . . 1775.
The myth of the Minuteman is all very well and good, but it is just that: a myth. The citizen soldier is a citizen who bears arms, and the best one is a professional. We don't do mercs. The closest we have to a militia is the National Guard, whose obligations to the State Governors make for some interesting budgetary decisions. The push in the past 13 years to stress professionalization of the reserves and the Guard, as well as to strengthen the bonds to Active Force units has resulted in a lot of Guard and Reserve personnel being called away to the current conflict.
The professionalizing of the American military and reduced reliance on conscription has its pros and cons. The biggest con is the shrinking of the demographic from whom to draw recruits, the biggest con is the ability to avoid "Johnson's 100,000."
If your concern is that America as a whole is losing its warrior spirit, you may be on to something.
Occhi
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete